Nonlinear Analysis of Cold-Formed Channels Bent about the Minor Axis

Abstract

The Direct Strength Method in AISI S100 and AS/NZS 4600 is an alternative design method to the Effective Width Method in calculating the design moment capacity of cold-formed channels. The Direct Strength Method uses elastic buckling stresses with an appropriate strength curve to calculate the design moment capacity. However, the current direct strength design equations have been calibrated for channels bent about the major axis and are known to be conservative for channels bent about the minor axis with the web in compression. In this paper, a nonlinear finite element analysis is described for cold-formed channels bent about the minor axis with the web in compression. The results are compared with the current direct strength design equations and a new design equation is proposed for channels bent about the minor axis with the web in compression.